As a part of Destination Wedding University’s popular and unique-to-the-industry course, Larissa Parks joined a select group in a live destination wedding training that combines every aspect of a real wedding with behind-the-scenes business coaching.

Fredericksburg, VA January 1, 2024 – Tulum’s boho-chic vibe, upscale nightlife, immaculate beaches, Mayan ruins, and mystical cenotes with crystal-clear waters are attracting young couples in droves. 

Tulum is ideal for brides and grooms who want an intimate wedding weekend with a few friends, in a location that’s more rustic and off the beaten path. 

But what if a couple loves the style of Tulum — and also needs a wedding weekend that includes more high-comfort amenities, more available rooms, that’s closer than two hours from the airport, and that has the easy-access convenience of an all-inclusive resort? 

Will Medina and his cohort of recent graduates from Destination Wedding University set out to create the best of both worlds: a flawless Tulum-styled wedding, with all the perks that Cancún has to offer. 

“Bringing Tulum to Cancún” was the ultimate opportunity for local travel agent Larissa Parks to jump in and learn exactly how to plan, organize, and execute a gorgeous destination wedding that can meet the needs of any couple, any guest list, in any destination.  

“Tulum is amazing and is absolutely the perfect choice for some couples,” Medina observed. “But if you’ve got a guest list of more than 40, then you want something that’s easy to get to, has all the in-room perks, and lets you book blocks of rooms.” 

The weekend event was held at Live Aqua Cancún, a luxe 371-room adults-only resort that’s just 20 minutes from the airport and in the heart of the hotel zone. 

Medina also brought in vendors who have experience working directly in Tulum, so that the photography, catering, and decorating would all have that signature free-spirit flair that has made Tulum a sought-after destination. 

What makes this event different from others in the industry is that from the moment students arrive at the resort, they are both guests enjoying a weekend wedding and destination-wedding-experts in training. 

So, in addition to a half-day immersive sales course, every event — from happy hours to the groom’s dinner to the actual ceremony and reception — is followed by a debrief for the graduates. This allows them to get an inside look at exactly what it takes to plan and execute an unforgettable wedding: the details that matter, direct connections with the best vendors, and how much every option costs. 

“Being a part of an event like this,” Larissa Parks said, “where I got to be immersed in every aspect of planning — it means I can go back to my clients with confidence. This retreat provided step-by-step guidance in all the areas that make destination wedding planning both challenging and thrilling, Parks said. It was an incredible value and well worth the investment, and I’m excited to serve my clients even better at a deeper level.”  

With the engagement season approaching and a year ahead that’s promising to be the biggest wedding year since 1980, Parks now has what she needs to plan the perfect Tulum-style wedding — no matter where it’s held.   

To learn more about Hitched 360’s range of services and to schedule a consultation, visit www.hitched360.com 

Larissa Parks is a Destination Wedding Planner & Officiant. She specializes in helping overwhelmed and stressed-out couples discover, design, and plan a destination wedding in some of the most beautiful locations in Mexico and the Caribbean. She is regarded for her expertise in creating, planning, and executing South Asian, Jewish, and Catholic destination weddings.